Parents are often frustrated by the constant attention and demands that children
put on them. Every parent experiences anger at some point when raising a child. What is
important is that they recognize they have lost control and there are alternative ways to
handle the situation. Spanking may stop the behaviour right way, but in the long term is
not an effective strategy. Young children learn to behave in violent ways through an adult
example and spanking is a child's earliest experience with violence. It claws at the self-
esteem and sense of security a child has, and when inflicted in anger, could escalate to
something much more. Disciplinary spanking is used when a parent is tired, busy,
frustrated or just wants a quick reaction from their misbehaving child. Parents are not
thinking rationally when they spank, and this is when 'just disciplining' develops into
inappropriate and unnecessary action. Without the criminalization of spanking, the
increase in child abuse is inevitable. Looking at alternative methods, the negative effects
for a child and society as a whole and how abusive parents are able to use Section 43 of
the Criminal Code as a shield; further suggests how preventable and ineffective spanking
Using alternative methods of discipline will decrease the possibility of spanking
escalating to child abuse. It is not proven that spanking your child is an effective form of
discipline. Many parents find discussions, time-outs, isolation, confiscating the object in
question or removing privileges to be more appropriate when teaching children right from
wrong. Educating parents on the issue is crucial to increase the awareness and availability
of alternative methods and to demonstrate to them that improving communication skills
with your child is one of the many positive techniques used when disciplining. The
controversial statement still stands "...